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Jose Reyes: Hopes to keep playing

by RotoWire Staff | RotoWire

Reyes is preparing to continue his career during the 2019 season, Jon Heyman of FancredSports.com reports.

As a 35-year-old utility man who slashed a deplorable .189/.260/.320 across 251 plate appearances last season, Reyes would do well to secure a minor-league deal this winter. Even that might be ambitious, given Reyes' significant off-field baggage -- he was suspended 52 games in 2016 after an arrest on domestic-violence charges. It wouldn't be surprising if none of the 30 teams were interested in taking a flier on the four-time All-Star.

Reyes is starting at shortstop but is only expected to receive one at-bat Sunday against the Marlins, Mike Puma of the New York Post reports.

The veteran infielder played 13 innings Saturday night, so between that and the fact that Sunday could be his final game with the Mets, the team will give him a send-off after his first at-bat. No official word has come forth as to who will replace him at shortstop, though Amed Rosario seems like a good bet to replace him.

Reyes will start at third base and bat seventh Sunday against the Braves.

With Todd Frazier resting in the series finale, Reyes will enter the lineup at the hot corner. It will be Reyes' third start in four games, all of which have come at different positions. Despite the recent uptick in opportunities, it doesn't appear that Reyes has a path to consistent at-bats now that Frazier is healthy, as Jeff McNeil seems to have emerged as the Mets' primary option at second base after Asdrubal Cabrera was traded to the Phillies last week.

Reyes went 2-for-3 with two solo homers in Wednesday's loss to the Nationals.

Reyes slugged solo homers in the fifth and eighth innings, but the Mets would fall in the series finale. The 35-year-old struggled to a .180 average through 19 games in July, so he'll look to turn things around as the calendar flips.

Even after the trade of Asdrubal Cabrera, Reyes hasn't quite yet locked down an everyday role. It appears the last-place Mets are content to work out some of their younger players, whether it be Jeff McNeil or the recently-recalled Luis Guillorme, who will man the hot corner Sunday.